240

THE DECLINE AND FALL

chap, accidental circumstances of the times, and b>

XX • J

_the prudence, or possibly by the caprice, of the

monarch. His ministers were permitted to sig-nify the intentions of their master in the variouslanguage which was best adapted to their re-spective principles ; f and he artfully balancedthe hopes and fears of his subjects, by publish-a.d. S2i. ing in the same year two edicts; the first ofwhich enjoined the solemn observance of Sun-day,* and the second directed the regular con-sultation of aruspices. h While this importantrevolution yet remained in suspense, the Chris-tians and the pagans watched the conduct oftheir sovereign with the same anxiety, but withvery opposite sentiments. The former wereprompted by every motive of zeal, as well asvanity, to exaggerate the marks of his favour,and the evidences of his faith. The latter, tilltheir just apprehensions were changed into des-pair and resentment, attempted to conceal fromthe world, and from themselves, that the godsof Rome could no longer reckon the emperorin the number of their votaries. The same pas-sions and prejudices have engaged the partial

f The quaestor, or secretary, who composed the law of the Tlicodo-tian code, makes his master say with indifference,-—“ hominibus su-" pradictae religionis” (I. xvi, tit. ii, leg. 1). The minister of eccle*aiastical affairs was allowed a more devout and respectful style,rAiffsu xai aytmrams xadoXixn; flgtjrxsut?; the legal, most holy, and; catho-lic worship. See Euseb. Hist. Eccles. 1. x, c. 6.

8 Cod. Theodos. 1. ii, tit. viii, leg. 1. Cod. Justinian . I. iii, tit. xii,leg. 3 > Constantine styles the Lord’s day dies solis , a name which couldnot offend the ears of his pagan subjects.

h Cod. Theodos. 1. xvi, tit. x, 1. 1. Godefroy, in the character of acommentator, endeavours (tom. vi, p. 257) to excuse Constantine; butthe more zealous Baronins (Annal. Eccles. a. d. 321, No. 18) censure*his profane conduct with truth and asperity,